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Milner - City have spirit

James Milner has refuted claims from inside the Manchester United camp that Manchester City are a divided unit that lack team spirit.

Last Updated: 19/04/12 9:46am

James Milner: England midfielder says there is no division within the Manchester City ranks

James Milner has refuted claims from inside the Manchester United camp that Manchester City are a divided unit that lack team spirit.

United coach Rene Meulensteen claims City's squad is made up of self-centred individuals who only look out for themselves.

He says the Blues will struggle to land major honours until they start performing as a collective and are prepared to fight for one another.

City will need to display those attributes if they are to snatch the Premier League crown away from Old Trafford this season, with United having opened up a five-point lead at the top of the table.

Milner is adamant that the Blues possess the attributes required to be challengers for top honours and has pointed to a number of recent battles as evidence that Roberto Mancini's men now how to dig deep.

Determination

"Look at the season we have had and winning the FA Cup last year," said the City midfielder.

"That first trophy as a group was great and you can look at games this year when we have been losing and shown character and fight.

"Even in the FA Cup game against United we were a man down and losing heavily at half-time. But we came back and could easily have got a draw out of the game.

"I cannot see a team of individuals doing that. You need that spirit, determination and togetherness to get through the low points of the season and we have done that.

"We are playing good football, had a great performance at the weekend and all season we have fought in all competitions and will do that until the end."

Milner also claims that his own situation at the Etihad Stadium proves how united the City squad are, with players prepared to accept a squad rotation policy rather than rock the boat.

Competition

He added: "It's frustrating at times because you want to play every game and it's not going to happen. But that's your will to win and your drive as a footballer.

"But it's about the team, not the individuals. It's about City winning trophies and the rest doesn't matter.

"You want to play with, and against, the best and become the best player you can be. Playing with the kind of players we have here will improve you.

"You need competition for places and I knew it would be difficult to play every single game.

"But you have to back your own ability to be a big figure in the dressing room, improve as a player and contribute as much as you can to the success of the team."